Constructor Functions

原文链接：http://dailyjs.com/post/js101-constructor-functions

The ECMAScript 5.1 specification defines the behaviour of calling "built-in" constructors as if they were functions. That means not only can new Array(1, 2) be used, but also Array(1, 2):

When Array is called as a function rather than as a constructor, it creates and initialises a new Array object. Thus the function call Array(...) is equivalent to the object creation expression new Array(...) with the same arguments.

-- 15.4.1 The Array Constructor Called as a Function

Object() is documented as performing a type conversion, and String() also does this:

var a = new String(1);
// { '0': '1' }
var b = String(1);
// '1'

The Date constructor technically performs a type conversion, but this is sometimes a source of confusion for beginners who just want a readable string representation of a date:

var a = new Date(2012, 0, 1);
// Sun, 01 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT
Date(2012, 0, 1)
// 'Sun Jun 10 2012 11:28:03 GMT+0100 (BST)'

In the first case, a Date object is returned, in the second a primitive string value is returned instead.

Returning Objects from Constructors

In section 13.2.2, the behaviour of returning objects from constructors is defined:

If Type(result) is Object then return result.

This prevents the constructor from returning an instance, so another object can be returned instead.

function Shape() {
  return {
    x: 1, y: 1
  };
}

Shape.prototype = {
  move: function() {}
};

var shape = new Shape();
shape.move();
// TypeError: Object #<Object> has no method 'move'

It's possible to use instanceof to determine if the constructor has been called as a function:

function Shape() {
  if (this instanceof Shape) {
    // An object is being instantiated
  } else {
    return {
      a: 'b'
    };
  }
}

Shape.prototype = {
  move: function() {}
};

var shape = new Shape();
shape.move();

Shape(); // Returns { a: 'b' }

jQuery uses a similar approach to instantiate jQuery.Event objects without requiring the new keyword:

jQuery.Event = function( src, props ) {
  // Allow instantiation without the 'new' keyword
  if ( !(this instanceof jQuery.Event) ) {
    return new jQuery.Event( src, props );
  }

This factory-style behaviour may suit certain APIs -- Dojo also uses it in NodeList.

Conclusion

Calling built-in constructors as functions is used for type conversion, but some constructors behave as if the new keyword had been used. To avoid bugs caused by missing new keywords, try to remember that these forms are not equivalent.

When writing constructors, this behaviour can be exploited to create factory-like APIs. That's because it's possible to detect when a constructor has been called as a function.

To read more about this topic, searching the ECMAScript specification for "called as a function" is a good starting point.